Angelo Castro Jr.


Angelo Y. Castro Jr. was a Filipino broadcast journalist and actor. He was a news anchor for The World Tonight, the flagship news program of ABS-CBN and ANC. He anchored several ABS-CBN and ANC news and current events programs for the past 25 years. Castro is a recipient of the Ka Doroy Broadcaster of the Year award from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
Castro died at age 67 after succumbing to lung cancer. Philippine Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Castro's death marks the "end of an era of gentlemanly broadcasting."

Early Life

He studied in the University of the Philippines where he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi.
Before becoming a journalist, Castro had a flourishing television and film career. He was cast as Bong in "Baltic and Co." over GMA-7 during the mid-70s.
He was nominated in the 1980s for a Famas award as Best Supporting Actor for Kumander Alibasbas.

Broadcasting

Castro joined ABS-CBN when it reopened in 1986 after the EDSA Revolution and became its news manager. He created TV Patrol, the longest-running Filipino newscast. Castro anchored The World Tonight in 1986 with Loren Legarda.
In 2000, Castro became ABS-CBN's senior vice-president for news and current affairs. He left that post a year later but continued to anchor The World Tonight. He also hosted the travel show Las Islas Filipinas on ANC.
Castro retired in September 2009, but returned as news anchor on The World Tonight in November 2011. He was joined by Tina Monzon-Palma and Teddyboy Locsin. He finally left the show for the last time when his health continued to deteriorate.

Family

He was the son of former Press Secretary Angelo Castro Sr. He is the father of actor Diego Castro III, and Gabriella and husband of fellow broadcaster June Keithley. Castro is also the uncle of musicians Kenneth Ilagan and Mondo Castro.

Health and death

In 2008, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and given three months to live. Castro outlived this prognosis by three years, dying at age 67 on 5 April 2012, at St. Luke's Medical Center.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said after it was announced that Castro had died: